avoids all abstruse points of divinity, which, in their discussion, are surely illtimed in seasons of bodily affliction, or on the approach of death: and, whilst it suppresses the presumptions of enthusiasm on the one hand, and the forebodings of despondency on the other, and goes only to plain and practical questions of primary and vital interest, it will, it is hoped, both facilitate the labours of those who visit the sick, and be conducive to the best spiritual benefit of those who are visited.

Twyford, Jan. 1. 1830.

THE ORDER

FOR THE

VISITATION OF THE SICK.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

MANY words are not wanting to prove the uncertainty of human life, and that all are alike subject to the stroke of death. The holy Psalmist informs us, that thousands fall at our right hand, and tens of thousands at our left; and that we are exposed to the pestilence that walketh in the darkness, and to the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day.

Death is, indeed, the lot of all. The rich are not protected for favour, nor the poor for pity; the old are not reverenced for their age, nor infants for their tenderness; and, whatever be our condition, we must all lie down equally in the dishonour of the grave, and dwell with worms and

B

creeping things, in a house of corruption and darkness. We ought, therefore, never to forget the impressive words of Holy Writ, that in the midst of life we are in death; and we should be always prepared to appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. Oh! that we were wise and understood this, and would consider our latter end!

Although we are far from attempting to limit the infinite mercy of God, and must allow, from many passages in Scripture, and particularly from the example of the penitent thief, that no period is too late for the exercise of his mercy, yet it is our duty to impress earnestly on the minds of all, the awful danger of trusting to a death-bed repentance, or of deferring to a future day that contrition and amendment which the forbearance of God ought to work daily in our souls. Whilst we are thus mocking our heavenly Father by resolutions which may never be realised, we should not forget that the sudden stroke of death may reach us unprepared ;

or that pain and suffering may so far weaken our faculties, as to prevent us from working out our salvation by accomplishing those conditions which are required for the dispensation of his pardon. It is, therefore, the bounden duty of all Christians to consider their latter end, even in the full flow of health, and with the prospect of a long life; but it is still more imperious when we are visited by sickness, or are far advanced in age.

On these considerations one of the earliest apostolical injunctions was the visitation of the sick, not merely as a duty of friendship and courtesy, but as a religious obligation. Although the administration of comfort and consolation to our neighbours is incumbent on all, yet it is more particularly the duty of the minister to fulfil this important office, as well to soothe the anguish of mental suffering, as to prepare the mind of the sufferer for that awful change which awaits all mankind. Sick persons are, therefore, strongly recommended to send

for the minister, as soon as they are visited by illness, and not to wait until they are very weak and nigh unto death; because in that situation they may, through pain and debility, be incapable of asking advice, or even of joining in prayer. When we are making preparation to humble ourselves before Almighty God, to confess our sins, and by unfeigned repentance seek forgiveness and the comfortable grace of his Holy Spirit, our minds ought to be sound, that we may not despair, or be too presumptuous in our hopes, or be subject to that peevishness and irritation which often accompany pain and sickness. Unfortunately, however, we are too apt to neglect this solemn duty in the enjoyment of health; but in pain and sickness it comes home to every bosom. We then lament the folly and wickedness of not having considered our latter end; we then feel the necessity of no longer delaying to make our peace with God by sincere repentance, and by imploring forgiveness for our sins through the atone